Suction box connection to manifold



Sept. 2, 1952 s. M. BRATTON SUCTION BOX commcnou T0 MANIFOLD Filed Oct. 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 2, 1952 s. M. BRATTON SUCTION BOX CONNECTION TO MANIFOLD 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 15, 1946 ,SjamueZ M .36am]? Sept. 2, 1952 s. M. BRATTON SUCTION BOX CONNECTION TO MANIFOLD 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. l5, 1946 b NV a .oN 9m 9m NNI Mw o R n mlwq \vN b EH 0 ll an \T: RN AN bN L O H, L... Z E w mww w FN S. M. BRATTON SUCTION BOX CONNECTION TO MANIFOLD Sept. 2,v 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 15, 1946 Afumzzel Mfiipai'i'on,

Patented Sept. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUCTION BOX CONNECTION TO MANIFOLD SamuelM.fBrattomWilmington, DeL, assignor to The Pusey & Jones Corporation, Wilmington, 'DeL, a corporation of Delaware Applioationflctoher 15, 1946, SerialNo. 703;!54

17 fllaims. .1

The present inventionrelates to paper making ,machineiy and, more particularly, to suction boXes .of ourdrinier machines and .their connections to suction and water discharge lines.

,A primary object of the invention is to improve the connections between suction boxes, mounted upon the vertically adjustable or stationary supporting frames of Fourdrinier machines, .and the. suction and water discharge lines. Another vital object is to provide improved suc- .-tionbox connections for installations of this kind, which will facilitate reciprocation, rotary or jojthermotion of the suction boxes in their normal operation, transversely or otherwise with re- :spect to the length of the Fourdrinie'r wire, be- ,low its upper, operative run.

As Iis well-known to those skilled in the art, the frames or tables of most Fourdrinier machines, including the main supporting frames vthereof, aremounted for vertical adjustment, to .vary the angle of inclination of the run of the Wire .as a whole, from the head box to the couch roll.. Thesuctionboxes, mounted below the wire, extending across the machine and supported'by the railsabove the frames, must be raised and lowered when these adjustments are made. Also 'Whenithe covers ofithe suction boxes wear or are re-ooinditioned,adjustment of the suction box in relation to the Supporting rails is required. 'Hen'cje, v,f-l'ejxible connections must be provided from the ,fixed suction and "water discharge lines to v thesucjtion boxes, to accommodate thev adj ustingmovementbas wellas the normal movements of the boxes relative .to the wire, employed to prevent the wire from wearing grooves in the upper surfaces of the boxes.

.In the ,past, large rubber conduits, reinforced exteriorly and interiorly with coils of wire, to prevent their collapse, have been inserted in the lines between the suction boxes and the fixed g-manifolds. usually in angularly disposed, vertical suction.box,connectionis provided, whichgreatly facilitates a ,change. in the .vertically adjusted 1305111 911 of the .Fourdrinier ,machine, and which accommodates .the .normalmovementof the suc- ,Fourdrinier machine'having suction boxes carried by the supporting rail thereof, a fixed manifold connected to fixed suction and discharge lines,

and a vertically adjustable connection, "including a vertically slidablejoint, between a coupling conduit section carried by the main supporting frame and the fixed manifold.

A further object of the invention :is to provide a novel connec'tion'between a coupling-conduit section carried by the main frame of a Fourdrinier machine and the suction box itself, whereby the suction box may be reciprocated and the coupling conduit section may remain relatively stationary. I w

A further object of the invention is toprovide a novel seal between a fixed manifold and an adjustable coupling section carried by the "main frameof a paper making machine.

Another object is to provide an improved seal between the upper end of such a coupling-conduit section and a removable suction box, "at either end thereof, at both ends, orat apo'int between the ends, adapted to permit normal reciprocations or other movements of the box and to facilitate removal of one box-andthe substitution of another.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specific embodiment of theinvention shown inthe :ac'companying drawings and described below.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is'a side elevation of the manifold connection and associated parts in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a central'vertical section through the right hand portion of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section, showing the joint between the fixed manifold and the vertically adjustable conduit section.

Figure 4 is atop plan view.

Figure 5 is an end elevation, taken from the right of Figure '1, with certain parts removed.

Figure 61s a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4 and I Figure 7 is a vertical section on line 1- 1 of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale. i

In Figure 1, the main supporting frames of. a Fourdrinier machine are indicated at Ill and I1.

The f ames are mount d for vertical adjustment,

pressible rubber tube 40.

as explained above, by any conventional means, such as the jacks I9 and I l, shown diagrammatically in Figure 1. A suction box l2, having a perforated cover I3 is carried by a pair of suction box supporting rails [5 at opposite sides of the machine, supported in turn by the main frames I and I I, in fixed relation with respect thereto, by conventional means, not shown. An angular bracket I6 is supported by each rail l for vertical adjustment with respect thereto by means of a screw 16, and may be locked in adjusted position by a bolt I6". Each bracket I6 has a horizontal flange I1, overlying an extension 18 of the suction box and underlying the marginal portion of a plate 19 secured to the suction box extension. Hence, a slidable connection is provided between the flange I1 and the parts fixed with respect to the suction box, and the entire assembly may be raised and lowered by adjusting the screws I5, for instance, to accommodate suction box covers of different thicknesses.

As is well understood in the art, a movable bridge l4, having rollers 14' associated therewith may be used to carry the end of the suction box when one is being installed or removed from the machine. The bridge or carriage I4 is movable from one box to another, in accordance with conventional practice.

At its terminal portion 29, the suction box extension IB is shaped to provide a vertical way 2| in which a sliding block 22 is mounted for vertical reciprocations, under the influence of a roller 23 mounted on the eccentric portion 24 of a rotatable shaft, having a center at 25.- Hence, as the shaft rotates, the suction box extension and the box as a whole are reciprocated longitudinally, transversely of the length of the wire, supported above the perforated cover l3 of the box; or any other motion applied to either or both ends of to sources of suction and water discharge lines by large, heavy flexible conduit sections. In accordance with the present invention, however, an improved connecting system is provided.

For each suction box associated with the Fourdrinier machine, there is provided a hollow manifold casting 30, supported upon the floor 3| and having upper and lower connections 32, 33, leading to suction and discharge lines 34, 35,respectively. Each manifold member is provided with a vertically elongated opening 36, intermediate its upper and lower ends. The margins surrounding the opening are grooved as at 37, for .the reception of a continuous sealing means, which may comprise a pair of grooved strips of rubber, molded graphite composition, or the like 38, 39, and an intermediate, continuous, com- A removable plate 4! above the opening 36 may be employed to assist in retaining the sealing devices in place.

The supporting frame IU of the Fourdrinier machine carries a coupling conduit section 45, having angularly disposed flanges 46, 41 bolted or otherwise secured to the frames. The coupling section 45 terminates at its lower end in a lateral opening 49 of less height than the opening 36 in the manifold and registering with a bolt heads 60,

portion thereof. Upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 50, 5|, constituting continuations of the upper and lower margins of the opening 49, are disposed in sealing contact with the outer face of the sealing ring 39. In the lowest adjusted position of the frame l0, as shown in Figure 2, the flange 50 blocks and closes. the portion of the vertically elongated opening 36 above the conduit opening 49 of the coupling section. It will be apparent that, when the main supporting frame [0 is raised, the position of registry of openings 49 and 36 will be correspondingly changed, and the flange 5| will close a portion of the opening 36. In other words, the coupling section 45 is vertically slidable relative to the fixed manifold, but sealing contact is always maintained between the face thereof and the sealing strip surrounding the opening in the manifold.

At its upper end, the coupling section 45 carries an apertured plate 55, to which is attached a tubular bellows of thin flexible metal or other material, well-known in the art. The upper end of the compressible and extensible section so provided is hermetically sealed to an apertured coupling plate 51, carrying downwardly extending bolts 58, extending loosely through the lower plate 55 and the flange 45 of the coupling section 45. Coil compression springs 59 surround the bolts and urge the plate 51 upwardly, the upward movement of the plate being limited, when the suction box extension is removed, by spaced below the supporting flange 45.

The upper plate 51 is provided with a raised, annular ring 63, holding in place a sealing ring 64, adapted to make sealing contact with the lower face 55 of the suction box extension surrounding the opening 66 therein.

The upper coupling plate 51 is also provided with a pair of marginal, raised cam tracks 68. having inclined end surfaces 69, 10, adapted to cooperate with cam projections H associated with the suction box extension, to cause the upper coupling plate 51 to be depressed when the suction box and its extension are moved a substantial distance transversely of the machine. For instance, if the suction box is moved manually a predetermined distance to the left, from the position shown in Figure 1 for purposes of removing the box, the lower surface of the cam extension II will engage the inclined portion 10 of the cam track 68 and depress the same, moving the sealing ring 64 out of contact with the margins of the opening 66 in the suction box extension and permitting ready withdrawal of the suction box. Similarly, when a new or replacement suction box is inserted, by manual movement from left to right, supported by rollers I4 on carriage l4, the cam extension H will ride up upon the inclined end 69 of the cam track 68, thereby depressing the latter, until the margins of the opening 66 in the suction box extension are in proper registry with the sealing ring, whereupon the upper plate 51 will snap upwardly into place, under the influence of the springs 59.

The normal reciprocations or other movements of the suction box, effected by the above described eccentric 24, or other mechanisms, are relatively short in length, the main purpose thereof being to prevent the Fourdrinier wire from wearing grooves in the upper surface of the box. These reciprocations or movements are permitted by a sliding movement between the lower face of the suction box extension and the upper 5 surracemsheseanng ring-64. iIt-wviillibemoted that there s s ifiicient space between the lower "ieft handsurface of the cam pro'jections "Ill car- Tied by the suction box extension and the --in- "lin'ed end-surfaces ofthe-camtracks 6.8:50 ithat th'e f reciprecation f the suction f box may occur, without bringing the oam surfaces-into camm'ing relation. However; when the 's'uctionbox :and its extension are moved a greater -distance,= as for a bo'x changing-operation, the -cam surfaces come into engagement, to depress the -GOUX3IiIIgLI IatE a's previouslydescribed. v

Thus, =-the suction conduit system of the present invntion includes :a =verti-cally slidable adthe acoupling *sec'tion carried by the Fourdrinier supporting frame, {permitting vertical adjust- :ment o'f the :entire machine relative -to the maniff old and the f xed suction and 'water discharge lines; andfiin addition, a' hor'izontal seal snaking a slidableconnection between-thesuction box extension and the coupling conduit, "permitting nornial reciprocation-orother movements of'the box in use. These slidable connections "take the place of; and entirely izliniinate; the heavy,

clumsy, space consuming rein'forced *rubber pipe sections 'hereto'fore "used. It should be understood that the invention is 'not limited to the specific details of construction shown' in the accompanying drawings and described above, but covers all modifications coming withinthe scope of the appendedwclaims and their equivalents. I v

I claim: 1 1 1. In a 'fFourdrini-er machine having a suction box supported by the vertically adjustable supporting 'rail's thereof andhaving fixed suction and water ;'discharge lines, means establishing com- '-munication between the suction box and said lines, comprising a fixed manifold member coneated -to 'said Flines, "coupling conduit member connected to-said box and inc'luding a rigid'section carried by: said rails, one "of. said members fhaving j'surfaces defining a vertically elongated flatei a'll y ifa'cing opening :the other "member having a vertically elongated sealing surface regisltering with the margins of and'being of greater height than said opening and -said sealing .surface having .an opening .therein of less height fthan, -and register"ing with 'a portion of the elon- -gatedopeningsaid members'being relatively vertically adjustable to change .the elevation of registry'of said openings, said sealing surface sealing-the margins iof the elongated opening in all adjusted positions of the'members.

2. In a .Fourdrinier machine "having asuction box supported by "the vertically adjustable supporting 'rails thereof and 'having -fixed suction and water discharge lines, means establishing connection between the suction box and said lines,-=eomprising a fixed manifold 'connected "to said lines and hav-ing surfaces defining a laterally facingopening, and a-ooupling-conduit-member zco'nnected to the suction "box and including "a rigid section having "a vertically elongated sealing surfaceregistering with said opening in the manifold throughout the entire range of vertical adjustments or the rail and suction box.

8; a Fourdrinier machine h'avin'g a 'suction 'box :mounted :for movement with "the main 'vertical-ly ladjustabie supporting iframe thereof and shaving fixed suction and water "discharge lines, means establishing connection between thesucnon box: and said lines, comprising a fixed mani- 1foldconnected* to -said' lines and having surfaces machine.

charge lines, :rneans for establishing connection betwieen the "box and said lines, comprising a direction of :its1length, transversertoithewvnremnd ccarried by vertically adjustable .tsupporting rails, and fixed suction and water discharge llines; -meansaes'tablishing:1connection between 1211655110- i'tion -box and :said lines, said .-means 'rcomprising =a2fixed manifold. connectedatits :upperandlower endsttosaidlines andthaving surfaces defining a 'verticallyelongated opening in its side wall, conduitzmeans connected to the suction box .at ,0116 send .zandtermina'ting :at the others-end in .a @rigid zmem'ber :having a flaterally pfacing opening and J3; vertically elongated --sealing surface projecting from "the m-argins thereof and :makingsealing contact 'with *thermarg'ins of *the manifold open- :ing, isaid rcondut means including a-section movable with the suction box and another section :flxed withtrespect to thesupporting rails.

5 :In aiFonrdrinier machine'of the type :hav-

.ing :a horizontally reciprocating suction box unounted v for vertical movement with the "main medically-adjustable 'framethereof, and fixed suc- *tion and :water discharge :lines; means establishing iconnection'between :the suction box andfsaid dines, gcompr isin'gra fixedrmanifoldmember connected to said lines and havingssuriacesflefining a :laterally racing opening, .a coupling member fixedly :carried by said frame and including a rigid section, :a sealing connection between said :members, comprising an opening in the i coupling *member :registering with .said laterally facing npening, one ref-said members having a .sealing surface tmaking vertical sliding sealing contact with the :margins 'of the opening in the other member, and "a horizontally :slidable "connection ibetween "the coupling member and ?the suction :box, maintaining a sealthereb'etween during creci-procating "movements of the latter.

.6. .In a paperma-king machine :having :a P-SUC- ftion 'rbox *mounted for vertical adjustment "with the vertically adjustable main frame .of the and fixed. suction and water diszfixedtmanifold .CO'HIIBGtBdTtO saidlines and :having "surfaces defining a vertically elongatedopening leading to its interior, conduit-means connected at one-endfto the suction box andhaving at the ot'her end thereof 'a rigid section providedwith an ppening 'ofsmaller vertical dimension than said "manifold opening and a, flange extending :vertically from thermargins of the last-mentioned "opening'and' coveringthe portion of the "marliiold'op-enin out of registry with the *conduit opening, and sealing meansbetween the margins of themanifold opening and saidflange.

"7.. In azpaper making machinehaving asuction box mounted for :vertical "adjustment with the vertical1y adjustable main frame :of the machine, and fixed suction and water discharge lines,

' means {for stablishing connection between the box and said lines, comprising a, fixed manifold connected to said lines and having surfaces defini-ng a vertically elongated laterally "facing "opening leading to its interior, conduit means connected at one end to the suction box and having at the other end thereof, a rigid section slidably connected to the manifold for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, said conduit means at the latter end having surfaces defining an opening of less vertical dimension than the manifold opening and registering with different portions thereof at different vertically adjusted positions, and a flange projecting upwardly and downwardly from the upper and lower margins of the second mentioned opening and making sealing contact with the margins of the manifold opening in all vertical adjustments of the conduit means.

8. In a paper making machine having a suction box mounted for vertical adjustment with the vertically adjustable main frame of the machine, and fixed suction and water discharge lines, means for establishing connection between the box and said lines, comprising a fixed manifold connected to said lines and having surfaces defining a vertically elongated opening leading to its interior, conduit means connected at one end to the suction box and having at the other end thereof, a rigid section slidably connected to the manifold for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, said conduit means at the latter end having surfaces defining an opening of less vertical dimension than the manifold opening and registering with different portions thereof at different vertically adjusted positions, and a defining a vertically elongated opening leading;

to its interior, a suction box extension having a downwardly facing opening, a coupling conduit section having its upper end operatively connected to the extension opening and its other end terminating in a vertically elongated, rigid flange disposed in registry with the margins of the manifold opening said flange having surfaces defining an opening therethrough of less height than the latter. and sealing means between the margins of the manifold opening and said flange,

hereby the coupling conduit may make connection with the manifold at a plurality of different. vertically adjusted positions.

10. In a paper making machine having a suction box and suction and water discharge lines, means for establishing connection between the box'and said lines, comprising a fixed manifold connected to said lines, a suction box extension having a downwardly facing opening, means for longitudinally reciprocating the extension and the suction box, a coupling conduit below the extension havin an upwardly facing opening. a

- flexible conduit section interposed between the coupling conduit and the suction box extension,

and means for connecting the coupling conduit to the manifold.

11. In a paper making machine having a vertically adjustable suction box and fixed suction and water discharge lines, means for establishing connection between the box and said lines, comprising a fixed manifold connected to said lines, a suction box extension having a downwardly facing opening, means for longitudinally reciprocating the extension and the suction box, a coupling conduit below the extension having an upwardly facing opening, a flexible conduit section interposed between the coupling conduit and the suction box extension, said coupling conduit having a lateral opening and a vertically elongated flange adjacent thereto, positioned in registry with the margins of the manifold opening, and sealin means between said flange and said margins, permitting vertical adjustment of the suction box and extension, and the coupling conduit with respect to the manifold.

12. The combination with a reciprocating suction box carried by a vertically adjustable supporting rail in a paper making machine having associated therewith, fixed suction and water discharge lines; of means for establishing communication between the suction box and said lines irrespective of the vertically adjusted position of the box and rail, said means comprising a fixed manifold connected to the lines at its upper and lower ends and having a vertically elongated intermediate opening, a coupling conduit section supported for vertical adjustment with said rail, having an opening of reduced height communicating with the manifold opening and flange means above and below its opening covering the portion of the manifold opening out of registry therewith, an extension on said suction box having a downwardly facing opening in its bottom, and an extensible upwardly pressed conduit at the upper end of the coupling section having its upper end slidably engaging the suction box extension around the opening therein, permitting longitudinal reciprocating movements of the suction box relative to the rail-carried coupling section.

13. In a paper making machine, a suction box supported in vertically fixed relation to the main supporting frame of the machine, a coupling conduit carried by said frame and having a compressible and extensible section at its upper end, spring means urging the latter upwardly, sealing means at the upper end of the flexible section, a suction box extension having a downwardly facing opening having margins registering with the sealing means, and inter-engaging cam means associated with the suction box extension and the flexible section, to compress the latter against the force of the spring means and to relieve pressure on the sealing means when the suction box is moved translationally for the removal or replacement of the suction box.

14. In a Fourdrinier machine having a main frame and suction box supporting rails fixed with.

respect thereto, a suction box carried by the rails for limited reciprocating movement, a coupling conduit section carried by the frame below the suction box and having a flexible section at its upper end, a sealing ring carried by the upper end of the flexible section, a suction box extension having an opening defined by sealing surfaces engaging the sealing ring, and means for moving the said surfaces away from said ring upon relative translational movement between the suction box extension and the flexible section, for suction box removal or replacement, said means comprising cam surfaces carried by the suction box extension and the flexible section respectively.

15. In a Fourdrinier machine having a main frame and suction box supporting rails fixed with respect thereto, and suction boxes adapted to be installed and removed by relative translational movement with respect to said rails, a suction connection for each suction box, comprising a suction conduit fixed with respect to the frame and rails having a flexible upper end terminating in an apertured coupling plate, resilient means urging the plate upwardly, a sealing ring mounted on said plate surrounding the opening therein, cam means on said plate, and additional cam means fixed with respect to the suction box and positioned to ride upon the first mentioned cam means, to depress said plate and to move the sealing ring out of contact with the suction box upon relative translational movement of the box with respect to the conduit.

16. In a Fourdrinier machine having a main frame and suction box supporting rails fixed with respect thereto, and suction boxes adapted to be installed and removed by relative translational movement with respect to the rails, a suction connection for each suction box, comprising a suction conduit fixed with respect to one of the frames and rails, having a flexible upper end terminating in an apertured coupling plate, resilient means urging the plate upwardly, a sealing ring mounted on said'plate surrounding the opening therein, a pair of cam tracks having inclined end faces positioned on said plate, and additional cam means fixed with respect to the suction box and positioned to ride upon said cam tracks, to depress said plate and to move the sealing ring out of contact with the suction box upon relative translational movement of the box with respect to the conduit.

17. In a Fourdrinier machine having a main frame and suction box supporting rails fixed with respect thereto, and suction boxes adapted to be installed and removed by relative translational movement with respect to the rails, and adapted for limited reciprocating movement, means for reciprocating each suction box and means for connecting the same to a source of suction, the last mentioned means comprising a suction box extension having a downwardly facing opening therein, a coupling conduit fixedly carried by said frame and terminating at its upper end in a flexible section and an apertured coupling plate, a sealing ring carried by said plate and slidably engaging the suction box extension around the opening therein, whereby the suction box and said extension may reciprocate relative to the coupling plate and ring, and cam means fixed with respect to the suction box extension and the coupling plate, respectively, for lowering the plate and the sealing ring upon said translational movement of the suction box and its extension.

SAMUEL M. BRATTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 282,967 Dufiy Aug. 14, 1883 337,037 White Mar. 2, 1886 436,345 Foster Sept. 16, 1890 700,554 Parker May 20, 1902 723,257 Fairbanks Mar. 24, 1903 1,159,185 Davis et al Nov. 2, 1915 1,677,128 Aldrich July 17, 1928 1,726,483 Giesler Aug. 27, 1929 1,769,905 Berry July 1, .1930 1,874,834 Tidmarsh Aug. 30, 1932 1,905,047 Norin Apr. 25, 1933 2,056,562 Bridge Oct. 6, 1936 

